Stephen Várdai
Stephen Várdai (Hungarian: Várdai István; died 22 February 1471) was a Hungarian Roman Catholic bishop and cardinal.
Stephen Várdai | |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Archbishop of Kalocsa | |
| Archdiocese | Kalocsa |
| See | Kalocsa |
| Installed | 25 February 1457 |
| Term ended | 22 February 1471 |
| Predecessor | Raphael Herceg |
| Successor | Gabriel Matucsinai |
| Other posts | Cardinal-priest of Santi Nereo ed Achilleo |
| Orders | |
| Created cardinal | 18 September 1467 (created in pectore) 19 September 1467 (published) by Pope Paul II |
| Rank | Cardinal-priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1425? Szabolcs County, Kingdom of Hungary |
| Died | 22 February 1471 (aged 46) Kalocsa, Kingdom of Hungary |
| Nationality | Hungarian |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post | Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Hungary (1456-1458) |
| Alma mater | University of Ferrara |
Biography
Stephen Várdai was born in Szabolcs County, Kingdom of Hungary, ca. 1425, the son of nobleman Pelbartus Várdai.[1] He studied at the University of Ferrara, receiving a doctorate in canon law.[1]
In his early life, Várdai joined the military to fight against the Ottoman Empire.[1] He later joined the ecclesiastical estate.[1] He was a canon of the cathedral chapter of Eger from 1451 to 1454.[1] He spent 1454 to 1456 in the Voivodeship of Transylvania.[1] In 1456, he returned to Eger in 1456 as provost of the cathedral chapter.[1] He became Vice-Chancellor of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1456, holding this post until 1458.[1]
In 1457, he was elected Archbishop of Kalocsa, with Pope Callixtus III confirming his appointment on February 23, 1457.[1]
Shortly thereafter, he was sent to the Kingdom of France to negotiate a marriage between Ladislaus the Posthumous and a daughter of Charles VII of France.[1] This embassy was frustrated by the Hungarian king's death later in 1457.[1] In 1464, the new king, Matthias Corvinus made Várdai Chancellor of the Kingdom of Hungary, a position he held until 1471.[1]
At the request of Matthias Corvinus and Louis XI of France, Pope Paul II made Várdai a cardinal priest in the consistory of September 18, 1467; his appointment was published in San Marco, Rome the next day.[1] He received the titular church of Santi Nereo e Achilleo on May 13, 1468.[1] He was not sent the red hat until February 1471.[1]
He died in Kalocsa sometime between February 22 and 26, 1471.[1] He is buried in Kalocsa.[1]